Brand Manager Decorative Coatings Middle East

About the Role

Hempel is seeking a Brand Manager - Decorative Coatings, Middle East to lead the execution of the Hempel Paints brand strategy for the Decorative Coatings segment across the Middle East. This full-time position requires 2-5 years of experience and will be based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, or Bahrain, reporting to the Head of Brand Marketing.

Role Context and Objectives

The Brand Manager will be responsible for strengthening brand identity, market positioning, customer awareness, and loyalty for Hempel Paints. This role involves translating customer insights into campaigns and experiences across digital, retail, and professional channels, supporting the company’s broader business objectives. Candidates from consumer-facing brand roles in sectors such as FMCG, retail, consumer goods, telecom, hospitality, financial services, fashion, beauty, or home improvement are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead market research and consumer insight to understand audiences, trends, competitor positioning, and customer needs, translating findings into brand and business recommendations.
• Execute the Hempel Paints brand strategy for Decorative Coatings, ensuring consistent brand presence across markets and customer groups.
• Develop and deliver integrated marketing communication plans across various channels, including digital, social media, PR, traditional media, retail, trade, events, and customer engagement.
• Create initiatives for brand awareness, customer engagement, and loyalty for homeowners, professional painters, retailers, contractors, and designers.
• Collaborate with the Regional Trade Support Manager on promotions and in-store activations to enhance customer journey and conversion.
• Oversee content creation that aligns with brand voice, values, product benefits, and sustainability commitments, adhering to corporate guidelines.
• Contribute to seasonal color trends, color collections, decorative effects, color cards, brochures, and outlet design standards.
• Support product positioning, portfolio priorities, and new product launches with the Regional Product Manager, including campaign communication and presentations.
• Manage relationships with creative, media, digital, and PR agencies, suppliers, and other third-party partners.
• Manage branding and communication budgets, prioritize investments, and evaluate campaign performance for marketing effectiveness and ROI.
• Provide employee onboarding and guidance on brand standards, communication best practices, and corporate marketing tools.
• Ensure marketing activities comply with company policies, the Quality Management System, Environmental Management System, and relevant guidelines.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• A customer-first mindset, supported by strong research, analytical, and commercial thinking.
• Creativity, curiosity, and the ability to propose new ideas while maintaining hands-on execution.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions, cultures, and markets, managing multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with CRM platforms, digital marketing, content production, design, and web trends, including the ability to brief, assess, and improve creative work.

Work Environment and Company Culture

Hempel offers a global community of over 7000 colleagues, fostering a workplace built on shared trust, mutual respect, and support. The company is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring an environment where employees feel valued and can bring their authentic selves to work. Hempel is majority-owned by the Hempel Foundation, with earnings contributing to philanthropic activities, allowing employees' work to support a greater cause.